Particle counter system and detecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A detecting apparatus includes a detecting carrier and a detecting device. The detecting carrier can be moved into a charging frame or anyone of storing frames of a stock room. The detecting device is installed in the detecting carrier and includes a power module and a detecting module. The detecting module is configured to detect environment information corresponding in position to the detecting carrier. The power module is configured to supply power for operating the detecting apparatus. When the detecting carrier is arranged in the charging frame, the power module is spaced away from the charging frame and is charged without contacting the charging frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a detecting system; in particular, to a particle counter system and a detecting apparatus applied to a stock room.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional detecting apparatus can be used to automatically detect particles in a stock room which is located between two working stations of a panel factory for transiting or temporarily storing semi-finished products, so that the semi-finished products can be confirmed being located in a clean space environment. However, when the battery of the conventional detecting apparatus cannot supply enough electricity, the conventional detecting apparatus is charged by contacting a charging seat, and the charging process easily generates particles because the metal connection between the conventional detecting apparatus and the charging seat is at a high temperature, such that the stock room will be contaminated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a particle counter system and a detecting apparatus to effectively improve the drawbacks associated with conventional detecting apparatus.

The present disclosure discloses a particle counter system, which includes a stock room, a transporting apparatus, and a detecting apparatus. The stock room includes a plurality storing frames, a charging frame, and a charging module installed in the charging frame. The charging frame and each of the storing frames have the same structure. The transporting apparatus is configured for transporting a transporting carrier to one of the storing frames. The detecting apparatus is arranged in the stock room and includes a detecting carrier and a detecting device installed in the detecting carrier. The detecting carrier is configured to be transported into the charging frame or anyone of the storing frames by using the transporting apparatus. The detecting device includes a detecting module and a power module. The detecting module is configured to detect environment information corresponding in position to the detecting carrier. The power module is configured to provide electricity for operating the detecting apparatus. When the detecting carrier enters into the charging frame by the transporting apparatus, the charging module is spaced away from the power module, and the charging module is operated to charge the power module without contacting each other.

The present disclosure also discloses a detecting apparatus for being movably arranged in a stock room having a charging frame and a plurality of storing frames. The detecting apparatus includes a detecting carrier and a detecting device. The detecting carrier is configured for being transported into the charging frame or anyone of the storing frames. The detecting device is installed in the detecting carrier and includes a detecting module and a power module. The detecting module is configured to detect environment information corresponding in position to the detecting carrier. The power module is configured to provide electricity for operating the detecting apparatus. When the detecting carrier enters into the charging frame, the charging module is spaced away from the power module, and the charging module is operated to charge the power module without contacting each other.

In summary, for the particle counter system and the detecting apparatus of the present disclosure, when the detecting apparatus is in the charging mode, the power receiver of the power module does not contact the power emitter of the charging module for avoiding generating particles due to a high temperature contact between metals, thereby maintaining the cleanliness of the stock room.

In order to further appreciate the characteristics and technical contents of the present disclosure, references are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the present disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely shown for exemplary purposes, and should not be construed as restricting the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a particle counter system according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a detecting apparatus of FIG. 1 in a detecting mode;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the detecting apparatus of FIG. 1 in a charging mode;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of a stock room of the particle counter system;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a charging module of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the charging module of FIG. 4 from another perspective;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the detecting apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a planar view showing the detecting apparatus in the detecting mode;

FIG. 9 is a planar view showing the detecting apparatus at an intermediate position;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing the portion X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a planar view showing the detecting apparatus at a charging position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing the portion XII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a volatile organic compound (VOC) detector according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the VOC detector of FIG. 13 in a detecting mode; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the VOC detector of FIG. 13 in a blowing mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 15, which illustrate an embodiment of the present disclosure. References are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the present disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely provided for exemplary purposes, and should not be construed as restricting the scope of the present disclosure.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 to 3, which illustrate a particle counter system 1000 of the present embodiment. The particle counter system 1000 in the present embodiment is preferably applied to a panel factor, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The particle counter system 1000 includes a stock room 200, a transporting apparatus 300, a detecting apparatus 100, and a controlling apparatus 400. It should be noted that the detecting apparatus 100 can be independently used or can be applied to other systems, that is to say, the detecting apparatus 100 in the present disclosure is not limited to the present embodiment.

The stock room 200 in the present embodiment is located between two working stations of a panel factory for transiting or temporarily storing semi-finished products (i.e., glass), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The stock room 200 includes a plurality storing frames 201, a charging frame 202, and a charging module 203 installed in the charging frame 202. The charging frame 202 and each of the storing frames 201 have the same structure. The storing frame 201 is used to accommodate a transporting carrier (not shown) which carries at least one semi-finished product. The charging frame 202 is used to accommodate the detecting apparatus 100, which needs to be charged, and the charging frame 202 is not used to accommodate any transporting carrier.

Moreover, the stock room 200 has at least one entrance 204. The charging frame 202 is arranged adjacent to the entrance 204, and the charging module 203 is mounted on a portion of the charging frame 202 arranged adjacent to the entrance 204. The stock room 200 has a clearance region 205 between the entrance 204 and the charging frame 202, and each of the storing frames 201 is not disposed on the clearance region 205.

The transporting apparatus 300 in the present embodiment can be an auto-guided vehicle and corresponding tracks, and at least part of the transporting apparatus 300 is arranged in the stock room 200. The transporting apparatus 300 is configured to transport the transporting carrier to anyone of the storing frames 201. The transporting apparatus 300 is also configured to transport the detecting apparatus 100 to the charging frame 202 or anyone of the storing frames 201. That is to say, the detecting apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is moved by using the transporting apparatus 300.

The detecting apparatus 100 is arranged in the stock room 200 and includes a detecting carrier 1 and a detecting device 2 installed in the detecting carrier 1. The detecting carrier 1 and the transporting carrier have the same structure, but the detecting carrier 1 is not used for carrying any semi-finished product. Accordingly, the detecting carrier 1 can enter into the charging frame 202 (as shown in FIG. 3) or anyone of the storing frames 201 (as shown in FIG. 2) by using the transporting apparatus 300.

Moreover, the detecting device 2 can be moved into anyone of the storing frames 201 by the movement of the detecting carrier 1, thereby detecting environment information of the corresponding storing frame 201, which is corresponding in position to the detecting carrier 1. The detecting device 2 includes a power module 21, a detecting module 22, and a wireless communication module 23. The power module 21 is configured to provide electricity for operating the detecting apparatus 100. The detecting module 22 is configured to detect the environment information corresponding in position to the detecting carrier 1. The wireless communication module 23 is configured to emit an electricity signal according to the electricity of the power module 21 and is configured to emit an environment signal according to the environment information of the detecting module 22.

The controlling apparatus 400 is wirelessly connected to the detecting apparatus 100 and the transporting apparatus 300. The controlling apparatus 400 is configured to receive the electricity signal and the environment signal emitted from the wireless communication module 23. The controlling apparatus 400 is configured to emit a controlling signal to the wireless communication module 23 according to the electricity signal so as to instruct the detecting apparatus 100 to be in one of a detecting mode and a charging mode. When the detecting apparatus 100 is in the charging mode, the detecting carrier 1 enters into the charging frame 202 by the transporting apparatus 300, and the charging module 203 is operated to charge the power module 21. When the detecting apparatus 100 is in the detecting mode, the detecting carrier 1 randomly enters into one of the storing frames 201 by the transporting apparatus 300, and the detecting module 22 is operated to detect the environment information.

Specifically, when the detecting apparatus 100 is operated and the power module 21 is in a low-electricity mode, the wireless communication module 23 transmits a low-electricity signal to the controlling apparatus 400, such that the controlling apparatus 400 emits a charging signal to the detecting apparatus 100 to instruct the detecting apparatus 100 to enter into the charging frame 202 for being charged, and then the detecting apparatus 100 is in the charging mode. Moreover, after the power module 21 of the detecting apparatus 100 is charged, the wireless communication module 23 transmits a full-electricity signal to the controlling apparatus 400, such that the controlling apparatus 400 emits a detecting signal to the detecting apparatus 100 to instruct the detecting apparatus 100 to randomly enter into one of the storing frames 201 for detecting, and then the detecting apparatus 100 is in the detecting mode.

Thus, when the power module 21 is in a low-electricity mode, the controlling apparatus 400 can immediately instruct the detecting apparatus 100 to be charged, so that the detecting apparatus 100 is charged without requiring any manual operation, and a staff does not need to enter into the stock room 200 for avoiding the stock room 200 being contaminated. Moreover, the charging frame 202 in the present embodiment is arranged adjacent to the entrance 204 of the stock room 200, thereby being beneficial for a staff to do the maintenance work for the charging frame 203 or the detecting apparatus 100.

In addition, the charging frame 202 and each of the storing frames 201 have the same structure, so that anyone of storing frames in the conventional stock room can be selected to be the charging frame 202, thereby easily applying the particle counter system 100 to the conventional stock room without changing the arrangement of the storing frames in the conventional stock room. Moreover, the detecting carrier 1 and the transporting carrier have the same structure, so that the detecting carrier 1 and the transporting carrier can be transported by the same transporting apparatus 300. That is to say, the particle counter system 1000 in the present embodiment can be operated by using the conventional transporting apparatus in the conventional stock room.

Specifically, the detecting apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is charged by the non-contacting charging frame 202, that is to say, when the detecting carrier 1 enters into the charging frame 202, the charging module 203 and the power module 21 are spaced away from each other, and the charging module 203 is operated to charge the power module 21 without contacting each other. The following description discloses the possible structure of the particle counter system 1000, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the charging module 203 includes at least one fixing seat 2031 fixed on the charging frame 202, at least one adjusting member 2032 installed on the at least one fixing seat 2031, and at least one power emitter 2033 installed on the at least one adjusting member 2032. It should be noted that the number of each of the fixing seat 2031, the adjusting member 2032, and the power emitter 2033 can be changed according to designer demands. For example, the number of each of the fixing seat 2031, the adjusting member 2032, and the power emitter 2033 can be only one. The fixing seat 2031 is fixed on an inner edge of the charging frame 202, and the adjusting member 2032 is configured to change the position of the power emitter 2033.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the fixing seat 2031 has two elongated openings 2031 a, and an inner space of the fixing seat 2031 is in air communication with an outer space through the two openings 2031 a. The adjusting member 2032 has a substantial L-shape and includes a pivoting portion 2032 a pivotally connected to the fixing seat 2031, a driving portion 2032 b extending from the pivoting portion 2032 a to one side (i.e., the right side of the pivoting portion 2032 a as shown in FIG. 6), and a mounting portion 2032 c extending from the pivoting portion 2032 a to another side (i.e., the upper side of the pivoting portion 2032 a as shown in FIG. 6). In other words, the driving portion 2032 b and the mounting portion 2032 c respectively extend from the pivoting portion 2032 a in two different directions. Moreover, the power emitter 2033 is mounted on the mounting portion 2032 c. The pivoting portion 2032 a is arranged in the fixing seat 2031. The driving portion 2032 b and the mounting portion 2032 c are exposed from the fixing seat 2031 by respectively passing through the two openings 2031 a. The adjusting member 2032 is rotatable along the pivoting portion 2032 a, and the rotating angle of the adjusting member 2032 is limited to the length of the two openings 2031 a. The rotating angle of the adjusting member 2032 in the present embodiment is about 5 degrees, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the power module 21 includes at least one power receiver 211, an adapter 212 electrically connected to the power receiver 211, and a rechargeable battery 213 electrically connected to the adapter 212. The adapter 212 is configured to transfer energy, which is received by the power receiver 211, to the rechargeable battery 213. The rechargeable battery 213 is configured to provide electricity for operating the detecting apparatus 100 (i.e., the detecting module 22 and the wireless communication module 23).

Specifically, when the detecting apparatus 100 enters into the charging frame 202 for being charged, the detecting carrier 1 is moved between an intermediate position (as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) and a charging position (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12). That is to say, the detecting carrier 1 is horizontally moved into the charging frame 202 to be located at the intermediate position, and then the detecting carrier 1 is downwardly moved onto the charging frame 202 to be located at the charging position.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the detecting carrier 1 is located at the intermediate position, the detecting carrier 1 does not contact the adjusting member 2032 (i.e., the detecting carrier 1 is arranged above the driving portion 2032 b of the adjusting member 2032), the power emitter 2033 and the power receiver 211 have a first distance D1, and the power emitter 2033 does not charge the power receiver 211. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the detecting carrier 1 is located at the charging position, the adjusting member 2032 moves the power emitter 2033 toward the power receiver 211 as abutted against the detecting carrier 1 (i.e., the detecting carrier 1 presses the driving portion 2032 b to rotate the adjusting member 2032 so as to move the mounting portion 2032 c toward the power receiver 211), the power emitter 2033 and the power receiver 211 have a second distance D2 smaller than the first distance D1, and the power emitter 2033 charges the power receiver 211. The second distance D2 in the present embodiment is approximately 10 mm, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Thus, when the detecting apparatus 100 is in the charging mode, the power receiver 211 of the power module 21 does not contact the power emitter 2033 of the charging module 203 for avoiding generating particles due to a high temperature contact between metals, thereby maintaining the cleanliness of the stock room 200. Moreover, when the detecting carrier 1 is horizontally moved into the charging frame 202, a larger gap (i.e., the first distance D1) is provided between the power receiver 211 and the power emitter 2033 for preventing the power receiver 211 from hitting the power emitter 2033.

The detecting module 22 of the detecting apparatus 100 can be used to detect a variety of environment information (i.e., a cleanliness level, a wind speed and a wind volume, a vibration level, and a concentration of volatile organic compounds), and the following description discloses the possible function and structure of the detecting apparatus 100, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the detecting module 22 includes a cleanliness detector 221, a wind detector 222, a vibration detector 223, a temperature detector 224, and a VOC detector 225. Specifically, the cleanliness detector 221 is configured to detect a cleanliness level corresponding in position to the detecting carrier 1. The wind detector 222 is configured to detect a wind speed and a wind volume corresponding in position to the detecting carrier 1. The vibration detector 223 is configured to detect a vibration level corresponding in position to the detecting carrier 1. The temperature detector 224 is configured to detect a temperature value of the power receiver 211 when the detecting carrier 1 is located at the charging position. The VOC detector 225 is configured to detect a concentration of volatile organic compounds corresponding in position to the detecting carrier 1. In addition, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the detecting module 22 can be provided with at least one of the cleanliness detector 221, the wind detector 222, the vibration detector 223, the temperature detector 224, and the VOC detector 225.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the VOC detector 225 in the present embodiment includes a chassis 2251, a displacement unit 2252 disposed in the chassis 2251, a detecting unit 2253 disposed on the displacement unit 2252, and a blowing unit 2254 disposed on the chassis 2251.

The detecting unit 2253 is movable to be arranged inside or outside the chassis 2251 by using the displacement unit 2252. Specifically, the detecting unit 2253 can be located outside the chassis 2251 (as shown in FIG. 14) for implementing a detecting process and can be located inside the chassis 2251 (as shown in FIG. 15) for implementing a blowing process by using the blowing unit 2254. The blowing process is implemented by using the blowing unit 2254 to blow the detecting unit 2253 for removing volatile organic compounds adhered to the detecting unit 2253, and the blowing unit 2254 in the present embodiment is configured to remove at least 90% of the volatile organic compounds adhered to the detecting unit 2253, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Moreover, at least one blowing process is implemented between any two detecting processes, thereby improving the accuracy of each detecting process implemented by the detecting unit 2253.

Specifically, the chassis 2251 includes a box 2251 a and a door 2251 b pivotally connected to the box 2251 a. The door 2251 b is preferably provided with a position resetting member (e.g., a spring), such that after the door 2251 b is opened by a force, the door 2251 b can return to the initial position when the force disappears. The displacement unit 2252 includes a stretching member 2252 a and a driving member 2252 b (e.g., a controller) electrically connected to the stretching member 2252 a. The detecting unit 2253 is disposed on the stretching member 2252 a, and the stretching member 2252 a is driven by the driving member 2252 b to open the door 2251 b and to move the detecting unit 2253 to be arranged outside the box 2251 a. The stretching member 2252 a in the present embodiment moves the detecting unit 2253 in a straight direction, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the stretching member 2252 a can move the detecting unit 2253 in a curved direction. The detecting unit 2253 has a detecting surface 2253 a preferably facing the blowing unit 2254, and the detecting surface 2253 a is configured to capture volatile organic compounds.

The blowing unit 2254 in the present embodiment is a fan filter unit (FFU). In other words, the blowing unit 2254 includes a fan 2254 a disposed on the chassis 2251 and a filter 2254 b disposed on the fan 2254 a and exposed from the chassis 2251. The fan 2254 a is configured to inhale an external air through the filter 2254 b so as to blow the detecting surface 2253 a of the detecting unit 2253, and the filter 2254 b is configured for filtering volatile organic compounds mixed in the external air, so that at least 90% of the volatile organic compounds adhered to the detecting surface 2253 a of the detecting unit 2253 can be removed.

In addition, the blowing process of the detecting unit 2253 in the present embodiment is implemented in the chassis 2251, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the blowing process of the detecting unit 2253 can be implemented outside the chassis 2251.

In summary, the detecting apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is provided with the VOC detector 225 for detecting the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the stock room 200. Moreover, after each detecting process of the VOC detector 225 is implemented, the volatile organic compounds adhered to the VOC detector 225 can be approximately removed by the blowing unit 2254, thereby improving the accuracy of the follow-up detecting process of the detecting unit 2253.

The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure; however, the characteristics of the present disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alterations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure delineated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A particle counter system, comprising: a stock room including a plurality storing frames, a charging frame, and a charging module installed in the charging frame, wherein the charging frame and each of the storing frames have the same structure; a transporting apparatus configured for transporting a transporting carrier to one of the storing frames; and a detecting apparatus arranged in the stock room and including a detecting carrier and a detecting device installed in the detecting carrier, wherein the detecting carrier is configured to be transported into the charging frame or anyone of the storing frames by using the transporting apparatus, and the detecting device includes: a detecting module configured to detect environment information corresponding in position to the detecting carrier; and a power module configured to provide electricity for operating the detecting apparatus, wherein when the detecting carrier enters into the charging frame by the transporting apparatus, the charging module is spaced away from the power module, and the charging module is operated to charge the power module without contacting each other.
 2. The particle counter system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging module includes a fixing seat fixed on the charging frame, an adjusting member installed on the fixing seat, and a power emitter installed on the adjusting member; the power module includes a power receiver, an adapter electrically connected to the power receiver, and a rechargeable battery electrically connected to the adapter; the detecting carrier is movable between an intermediate position and a charging position in the charging frame, wherein when the detecting carrier is located at the intermediate position, the detecting carrier does not contact the adjusting member, the power emitter and the power receiver have a first distance, and the power emitter does not charge the power receiver, wherein when the detecting carrier is located at the charging position, the adjusting member moves the power emitter toward the power receiver as abutted against the detecting carrier, the power emitter and the power receiver have a second distance smaller than the first distance, and the power emitter charges the power receiver.
 3. The particle counter system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adjusting member includes a pivoting portion pivotally connected to the fixing seat, a driving portion, and a mounting portion; the driving portion and the mounting portion respectively extend from the pivoting portion in two different directions, wherein when the detecting carrier is located at the charging position, the detecting carrier presses the driving portion to rotate the adjusting member so as to move the mounting portion toward the power receiver.
 4. The particle counter system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the detecting module includes a temperature detector, and the temperature detector is configured to detect a temperature value of the power receiver when the detecting carrier is located at the charging position.
 5. The particle counter system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting module includes a volatile organic compound (VOC) detector, and the VOC detector is configured to detect a concentration of volatile organic compounds corresponding in position to the detecting carrier.
 6. The particle counter system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the VOC detector includes: a chassis; a displacement unit disposed in the chassis; a detecting unit disposed on the displacement unit and configured to detect the concentration of volatile organic compounds corresponding in position to the detecting carrier, wherein the detecting unit is movable to be arranged inside or outside the chassis by using the displacement unit; and a blowing unit disposed on the chassis, wherein the blowing unit is configured to blow the detecting unit for removing at least part of volatile organic compounds adhered to the detecting unit.
 7. The particle counter system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the blowing unit includes a fan disposed on the chassis and a filter disposed on the fan and exposed from the chassis, the fan is configured to inhale an external air through the filter so as to blow the detecting unit, and the filter is configured for filtering volatile organic compounds mixed in the external air.
 8. The particle counter system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting module includes a cleanliness detector, a wind detector, a vibration detector, and a VOC detector; the cleanliness detector is configured to detect a cleanliness level corresponding in position to the detecting carrier, the wind detector is configured to detect a wind speed and a wind volume corresponding in position to the detecting carrier, the vibration detector is configured to detect a vibration level corresponding in position to the detecting carrier, and the VOC detector is configured to detect a concentration of volatile organic compounds corresponding in position to the detecting carrier.
 9. The particle counter system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stock room has an entrance, the charging frame is arranged adjacent to the entrance, the charging module is mounted on a portion of the charging frame arranged adjacent to the entrance, the stock room has a clearance region between the entrance and the charging frame, and each of the storing frames is not disposed on the clearance region.
 10. A detecting apparatus for being movably arranged in a stock room having a charging frame and a plurality of storing frames, comprising: a detecting carrier configured for being transported into the charging frame or anyone of the storing frames; and a detecting device installed in the detecting carrier and including: a detecting module configured to detect environment information corresponding in position to the detecting carrier; and a power module configured to provide electricity for operating the detecting apparatus, wherein when the detecting carrier enters into the charging frame, the charging module is spaced away from the power module, and the charging module is operated to charge the power module without contacting each other. 